Apparatus and method for installing cockpit module in vehicle body

Abstract

An installation apparatus is comprised of a pair of grasping brackets and an installation jig. The installation apparatus is employed to install a cockpit module in a vehicle body in a manner that the grasping brackets is detachably attached respectively to both end portions of a steering member of the cockpit module and that the installation jig grasps the grasping brackets and conveys the cockpit module to the vehicle body.

1. An installation apparatus of a vehicle cockpit module comprising:
 an installation jig for installing a cockpit module in a vehicle body, the installation jig comprising a pair of attachments configured to grasp both end portions of a steering member of the cockpit module, the attachments being installed respectively at both ends of an installation hand of the installation jig, 
 connecting pins that extend along an axial direction of the cockpit module installed at either each end portion of the steering member or each attachment, and 
 connecting grooves formed in the other of each end portion of the steering member and each attachment, wherein the connecting pins are configured to engage with a connecting groove when the installation hand grasps the cockpit module, 
 wherein each connecting groove is formed into a slot which extends such that a frontward portion of the slot relative to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is higher in a vertical direction than a rearward portion of the slot, 
 wherein each of the attachments of the installation jig includes a first attachment surface adapted to be contacted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body with a first steering member surface formed at the corresponding end portion of the steering member when the attachments move in the frontward direction of the vehicle body so as to allow the connecting pin engaged with the connecting groove to move along the connecting groove in order to grasp the cockpit module, 
 wherein an attachment further includes a second attachment surface adapted to be contacted in a wide direction of the vehicle body with a second steering member surface further formed at the corresponding end portion of the steering member. 
 
   
   
     2. The installation apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a connecting pin is installed on one of the second attachment surface of the attachment and the second steering member surface of the end portion of the steering member, and a connecting groove is formed in the other of the second attachment surface of the attachment and the second steering member surface of the end portion of the steering member.